TESTIMONIAL star Ash Handley is ready to take centre stage for Leeds – after moving infield from the wing.
It’s a twelfth season on the first-team scene for the 28-year-old who came through his home-city club’s Academy ranks after shining in the juniors at Oulton Raiders.
The England international, who has topped 200 Rhinos appearances, scored 14 tries in 19 outings as a wide man last time around.
But with coach Brad Arthur bringing in former star Ryan Hall from Hull KR and Fiji flank ace Maika Sivo from Parramatta Eels as part of his push to lift Leeds up the table, Handley is set to play centre while sharing the captaincy with backrow Cameron Smith.
“Brad has been pretty clear where he wants me to play, which I am fine with,” explained the man who had a testimonial match against Wigan yesterday (Sunday, January 26).
“He has been quite direct on what he expects in everybody’s position, but if I need any help or guidance or have any questions, he has the answers.
“I know exactly what he wants from me as a centre and I’m looking forward to playing there.”
Handley was hampered by a wrist problem in 2024 but added: “I am feeling good.
“I just want to get some consistency in playing and training and a bit of connection with my edge.
“Being in a new position, I want to see what I can do in terms of playing centre and getting a good connection with Maika.”
Sivo, 31, scored 104 tries in 115 Parramatta appearances and has twelve in as many games for Fiji, including three in two games in last year’s Pacific Bowl.
Leeds were Super League Grand Finalists in 2022, losing 24-12 to St Helens, but haven’t made the play-offs since.
“It is like a mission to get us back to where we belong,” said Handley, who missed out on the Old Trafford triumphs of 2015 (over Wigan) and 2017 (against Castleford).
“I don’t feel like there’d be anything sweeter in life than if we went on to win the Grand Final and got back up there and were challenging for trophies every year.
“We’ve been on a journey and a rebuild for a bit too long now. It is a mission to get this club back to where we belong and we are on that trail at the moment.”
Coach Arthur says Australian back Lachlan Miller is struggling to make the start of the Super League season (Leeds host Wakefield on Saturday, February 15) due to a calf injury, with Jake Connor likely to replace him in that position.
